I was on it for many years but had 3 serious toxicities. After the last one it was clear that my body just couldn't handle it very well anymore (both the 2nd and 3rd ones came out of nowhere with very little warning until with the 2nd I was hallucinating and in the ER and with the 3rd violently, terribly ill with about 30 seconds of warning). And I was on a low dose with the 2nd and 3rd and had maintained low blood levels (about.4- .6) for a really long time before each of the last 2 toxicities. So pretty much we decided that with no warning signs, normal low blood levels with my completely compliant blood tests, and the toxicities getting closer together it was time to stop and move on.

It was really hard to decide to stop it, even after all that because lithium worked for me. It slowed my rapid cycling and kept things more even. But I didn't want to ever be toxic again.